Top Match Ups of 2012: Week 5 and 6

The Crosstown Showdown is the featured game of Week 5, and it will probably be for the District 2-5A championship. Abilene High and Cooper get together for the 52nd time at Shotwell Stadium. Abilene High has been in control of the series the last 8 years with 7 wins in that time, and they dominated Cooper last year, 62-6. The Cougars on the other hand have more wins in the series. Both teams are picked to go to the playoffs in 2012. Abilene High is picked to repeat as district champs with Cooper coming in 2nd place in the Little Southwest Conference. This years game is the earliest district meeting between the 2 schools since the district moved the game from the district opener in early 90's.

The Showdown is not the only district title game in the Big Country that night. Eastland and Breckenridge get together at Buckaroo Stadium in Week 5. The Mavericks enter the 2012 season as the district favorite even though head coach Brian Hulett has to find 13 new starters for his team. The Buckaroos are picked right behind Eastland by Texas Football magazine. Breckenridge has 8 starters back on offense and head coach Steve Freeman says the pieces are in place for a breakout season.

Now to Week 6 and what should be a battle for the district lead in District 3-2A. The Bangs Dragons host 5th ranked Wall. The Dragons have quarterback J.T. Newton back for his junior year. As a sophomore, Newton threw for 24-hundred yards and 20 touchdowns for the Dragons. Newton is one of Big Country Sports Players to Watch in 2012. Wall is picked to win the district this year. The Hawks beat Bangs in non-district the last 2 years.